The Texas-based double bassist, educator and ISB board member was 55
The death of double bassist Jessica Gilliam Valls was announced on 11 September 2025. Gilliam-Valls, 55, was found at home when she did not report to her teaching duties as director of orchestras at Dripping Springs Independent School District in Texas.
Gilliam-Valls was a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and received a masters of music in double bass performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Texas at Austin.
She played regularly with the Austin and San Antonio symphonies and was previously principal bassist for the Orquestra da Rádio e Televisão Cultura in São Paulo, Brazil. She appeared with chamber ensembles, jazz, tango and bluegrass bands, in studio recording sessions, on film soundtracks, television and radio jingles, and on notable festival stages.
As an educator, Gilliam-Valls served on the faculties at Southwestern University, Huston-Tillotson University and The Girls’ School of Austin. She was a sought-after guest artist and clinician at the North Texas Bass Camps, the Austin Chamber Music Workshop, Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and the Victoria Bach Festival, among others.
She was a member of the International Society of Bassists (ISB) board of directors, and was a frequent and popular presenter, adjudicator and recitalist at ISB conventions.
The ISB shared the news via a statement: ’Jessica was a ray of sunshine who inspired us all. She exemplified the very best of us as a teacher, player, colleague and friend. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and students. She is survived by three children and a grandson, whom she doted on.’
No comments yet